introuding sps to new aquarium

[pezza50]

im just a bit confused on when it will be ok to introduce a few sps frags, and what are the best levels of cal,mag,alk to maintain,

 

[29reef]

Generally it's good to wait until there is dime sized coraline on the glass, and the tank is 2 months old IMO.

For calcium an acceptable range would be 400-450. Alkalinity 8-10dkh and stable, meaning it doesn't change from day to day. So check daily at the same time and adjust dosing accordingly. Magnesium 1350-1450 is a good target.

There's a great thread at the top of this forum about water quality. You can also check out the reef chemistry forum for more insight into how to adjust your water.

 

[pezza50]

thanks for the reply yea i am already seeing good sized coraling algae on glass and rock 5 to 10mm across so thats a good sign, just confusing on maintaining stable water conditions, but i will check the forum you mentioned cheers.

 

[29reef]

Don't leave your nitrate and phosphate levels out of your tests. A good colorimeter like the ones Hannah makes are valuable tools in checking dissolved phosphate. The color changing tests can be difficult to trust IMO.

 

[pezza50]

im using red sea nitrate and phosphate test kits, nitrate test kit works fine and am getting a reading of 0.25 but phos is the problem im always gettin 0.08 and there are a lot of people with the same issue.